…from the midnight sun where the hot springs blow. Led Zeppelin screamed these words and unknowingly became the first “Friends of Iceland”.
If you’re famous, have been to Iceland once, and have said anything positive about the country, you are qualified to be an Íslandsvinur - A Friend of Iceland.
This honour is probably bestowed because we feel small in a global […]
This is an appetiser, but you better believe that the main course is far more filling!
A laptop in Reykjavik is like a guitar-case on the continent: it doesn’t matter what you’re doing with it, just carrying one around increases your chances of getting lucky.
Imagine using your computer in a pub back home; everybody would look at you like you’re barmy… before turning back to the television that’s blaring away in […]
It’s hip to be square.
Every city has a centre; a hub around which all activities seem to spin. Austurvöllur has served as Reykjavík’s heart since the first settler, Ingólfur Arnarson, established his farm just around the corner (two doors down from the strip club… next to the Subway restaurant).
Called the “east field” in honour of where Arnarson’s […]
25 September 2007 – 15:15
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By Erik
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Also posted in iceland, nightlife, Bars in Iceland, food, skyr, shopping, clubs, kókómjólk, nasa, nudity, Our 'Hood
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A bunch of running, concerts, a whispering world record, fireworks, and free waffles. What more could you want?
If there is one thing that Icelanders know, it’s celebration. Iceland is the kind of place where people throw a party because they find soap that matches their towels.
So imagine what can happen when you hold an internationally renowned marathon and a country’s largest […]
On 11 August, Iceland comes way, way out of the closet.
Gay Pride weekend has grown to become one of the most anticipated festivals of the year. At this Saturday’s parade, kids sporting rainbow flags and face paint will be as common as drag queens and women in plaid. Páll Óskar, Iceland’s reigning Queen, will croon to the crowd of […]
If Laugarvegur is Reykjavík’s High Street, then Skólavörðustígur is as close as Iceland gets to Portobello Road.
In this soon-to-be recurring feature, we’ll give you an insider’s look at places we live and like. If you need to find the closest hotel to the Blue Lagoon, get a guide book. If you want to see locals in their natural […]
A roundup of things to do in Reykjavík this June, as prepared by your still-pasty-white editors.
The midnight sun is in full effect! At 3am you can go for a hike, window shop downtown, or take pictures of your friends naked. Bring the wide-angle lense.
Ok, maybe leave that last one to the professionals… Spencer Tunick displays some […]
Almost as complicated as it sounds…
Head downtown on a Tuesday night looking for some of that infamous Icelandic party spirit, and you will surely be disappointed. Not a broken bottle or twenty-meter queue in sight.
You see, most locals would consider going out during the week to be a complete waste of time, as they can’t stay up until 5am and spend the next day […]
A round-up of things to do in Reykjavík for the rest of March, as prepared by your thankful-to-be-out-of-the-clutch-of-winter’s-evil-darkness editors.
Five years between albums is just too long. Be there as dance music visionaries and all-around hipsters GusGus celebrate the release of their fourth album on the 24th at Nasa. You won’t be the coolest person in the […]
14 March 2007 – 13:09
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By Erik
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Also posted in iceland, music, icelandic music, events, Festivals, DJs, cheap flights to iceland, Icelandic bands, concerts, GusGus, nasa, president bongo, Icelandic Film
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A battlefield for bargain hunters
So, you want to know where all the old compilation albums and china tea sets went from your local charity shops? They can be found at the Kolaport flea market next to Reykjavik’s harbour.
Imagine a huge undercover car boot sale, dotted around with stalls that resemble the back of Delboy Trotter’s […]
A roundup of things to do in Reykjavík this weekend, prepared by your sweaty fit editors.
The warm-up for the weekend takes place on Thursday at the Breakbeat Night at Pravda. Oommph oommph oommph.
If you’re more of the sober and indie kind-of-person, the youth culture centre Hitt Húsið, almost across the street from Pravda, is having […]
2 February 2007 – 18:30
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By Margrét
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Also posted in iceland, nightlife, wellness, Bars in Iceland, music, icelandic music, events, DJs, concerts, clubs, swimming pools, laugardalslaug, pravda
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A roundup of things to do in Reykjavík this weekend, prepared by your under-the easy-to-influence editors.
Tonight and tomorrow, The Good Company Theatre Group makes fun of Vikings and Jews at the Hafnarfjörður Theatre. Don’t worry, it’s probably all very politically correct.
For your weekly (and free) fix of origami, karate, haiku, manga, otaku, karaoke, and sake, […]
A roundup of things to do in Reykjavík this weekend, prepared by your now-you-see-them-now-you-don’t editors.
Right. “The world’s most exciting techno band,” Booka Shade, take the stage at Gaukur á Stöng Friday evening. Also on the bill: some people (we think) called Jack Schidt, Djuna Barnes, Miss Lori, Darren C, Hairdoctor and Fm Belfast. The guys […]
A round-up of things to do in Reykjavík this weekend, as prepared by your family friendly editors
Wake up early Friday morning, since this will be the last day to see the McNaught Comet, visible between the horizon and the moon around twilight.
Too fab to just call it a sale, the concept/design store Kron Kron is […]
A round-up of things to do in Reykjavík this weekend, as prepared by your anxiously-awaiting-the-holiday editors.
If you’re a proper Iceland nerd, you should be familiar with Valgeir Guðjónsson. This time, he’s playing in a church. Concert starts at 8 tonight in Seltjarnarneskirkja. Let’s hope he plays the “Peeing Outside Song”.
More eccentric Icelandic music at Tjarnabíó […]
A round-up of things to do in Reykjavík this weekend, prepared by your festive and slightly self-involved editors.
Headstart the weekend on Freaky Friday afternoon at Gallerí Gel, where hair is cut to beats spun by one of our very own, the super-fabulous DJ Kiki-Ow.
Later that evening, spend your hard-earned paychecks at Sirkus, where Curver plays […]
A roundup of things to do in Reykjavík this weekend, prepared by your cosmopolitan editors.
Tonight, synchronize your watches as the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, complete with two male-choirs and one heroic bass, plays enough Wagner to make you want to invade Poland.
Balance the hormones Friday night at Café Cultura, where voluptious Icelandic women engage in Arabic […]
These people can make you look cool, as long as you don’t interfere.
Wandering around 101 Reykjavík on Friday evenings, you are more than likely to come across a few shellshocked trendsetters with obscenely trendy, über half-a-haircut-mullet hairdos. They have most probably been to see the Hairdoctor Jón Atli (the most glamorous hairstylist since Warren Beatty) […]
A roundup of things to do in Reykjavík this weekend, prepared by your sweet, yet sassy, editors.
For all you lovers of that big church on the hill, this weekend there are 20 years since it was opened. Photographs of the church throughout its 50+ year building process are on display. Nearer my God, to thee.
Thursday […]
16 November 2006 – 14:38
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By Margrét
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Also posted in iceland, nightlife, reykjavik, music, icelandic music, events, food, Icelandic bands, shopping, concerts, clubs, kolaportið, sugarcubes
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I see you baby, shaking that ass
Dance the somewhat nippy winter weather away, Friday start your evening somewhere very hot indeed. The Icelandic Bellydance Championships are held at Ýmishúsið and begin at 8pm. a mere 1800isk to see 19 ladies (including one of our fabulous editors) flick their hips in a way which ensures you’ll […]
9 November 2006 – 14:40
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By kitty
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Also posted in iceland, nightlife, Adventure in Iceland, drinking, reykjavik, Bars in Iceland, music, icelandic music, events, food, DJs, Icelandic bands, designers, Icelandic clothes, Jón Sæmundur, concerts, clubs
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Iceland wakes up again.
Starting this Friday, the Young Art Festival, organized by Hitt Húsið, a cultural centre for “young people.” (Well, 17-25 year-olds. After that you’re old, apparently.) The first night, at Tjarnarbíó, is dedicated to students of The Icelandic Academy of Arts, and the fun starts at nine. Watch out for the street performers.
Later […]
2 November 2006 – 13:07
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By Margrét
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Also posted in iceland, nightlife, drinking, reykjavik, Bars in Iceland, music, icelandic music, events, Visual Arts, northern iceland, Icelandic bands, concerts, clubs, mr silla
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At the best little record store in Reykjavík, indie doesn’t necessarily mean small t-shirts. Just great coffee, impeccable manners, and the occasional autographed Lionel Ritchie album.
If you’re looking for some fine Icelandic music, a selection of Icelandic presidential portraits, some damn fine coffee, or simply capitalism with a human face, go to directly to the […]
A roundup of things to do in Reykjavík this weekend, prepared by your very, very tired editors.
The city is fairly quiet this weekend, and in recovery after that festival thing. Maybe this would be a good chance to chillax with it and soak a bit in one of those lovely warm swimming pools. We know […]
Official Hangover Day.
Thankfully, the official schedule has almost nothing in store for us today, but if you’re still alive, there are some off-venue gigs.
In the highly unlikely event that you’re feel fresh, you could start at The Naked Ape, a colourful design store at the corner where Skólavörðustígur meets Laugavegur. There you can see a […]
22 October 2006 – 16:26
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By Margrét
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Also posted in iceland, drinking, reykjavik, Bars in Iceland, icelandic music, events, Festivals, DJs, Icelandic bands, concerts, iceland airwaves
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At Gaukurinn, the all-star band Sometime starts at 22.15. You know, provided the drummer holds his drink.
At midnight in Iðnó, the old theatre by the lake, Stórsveit Nix Noltes (Nick Nolte’s Big Band) will make you sweat like a gypsy.
Two options at 01.00. Either go back to Gaukurinn to see the Hairdoctor, a band of […]
21 October 2006 – 14:15
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By Margrét
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Also posted in iceland, drummers, nightlife, drinking, reykjavik, Bars in Iceland, icelandic music, DJs, Icelandic bands, concerts, clubs, iceland airwaves
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Here we go again.
So, by now you know where the Reykjavik Art Museum is, eh? Well, we’ll start there. At 20.45 Benni Hemm Hemm starts playing with his big band of 18 people. Get your money’s worth.
Two options for 22.15 and 23.00. First choice: stay at the Art Museum. First up (assuming that Kraftwerk’s lawyers […]
20 October 2006 – 16:02
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By Margrét
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Also posted in iceland, nightlife, drinking, Bars in Iceland, music, events, Festivals, DJs, Icelandic bands, jeff who?, concerts, clubs, iceland airwaves
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Tonight starts at 19.00 with Ske at the Reykjavík Art Museum. They go through front(wo)men faster than other bands go through groupies. Everyone is excited to see their line-up this year.
For you cutie pie lovers, Skakkamanage and Þórir are playing at Gaukurinn, back to back. Skakkamanage starts at 20.45 and Þórir at 21.30. Decide for […]
19 October 2006 – 18:50
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By Margrét
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Also posted in iceland, nightlife, reykjavik, Bars in Iceland, icelandic music, Festivals, Reykjavík Art Museum, Icelandic bands, concerts, Skakkamanage, clubs, iceland airwaves
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Yeah, yeah. Iceland Airwaves, blah, blah, blah. We get it. Just check their website, ok?
On Saturday, check out the noon-to-midnight off-venue Airwaves concert at Hljómalind on Laugavegur. Pardon us while we abuse our position and encourage you to check out super-cutie Mr. Silla (pictured above, pretending to be tough) and her new best friend, Mongoose, […]
19 October 2006 – 18:02
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By kitty
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Also posted in iceland, nightlife, reykjavik, icelandic music, events, Visual Arts, Festivals, Icelandic bands, concerts, iceland airwaves, mr silla
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Cynic Guru play poppy, alternative rock at Gaukurinn at 20.15 (that’s a quarter past eight for civilians and Brits). You may be interested to hear that frontman Roland Hartwell plays the violin with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. He also plays guitar with the band. And sings. Like the old lady said to the other old […]
18 October 2006 – 18:01
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By Margrét
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Also posted in iceland, drummers, nightlife, drinking, reykjavik, Bars in Iceland, icelandic music, events, Festivals, Icelandic bands, concerts, clubs, iceland airwaves
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The international hipster community prepares for a difficult weekend by donning wristbands, as the most important music festival in the solar system begins in Reykjavík tonight.
Unless you’ve had more important things to think about, you’ll know that the annual Iceland Airwaves music festival starts in Reykjavík today, and continues through to Sunday.
Beginning in 1999, what […]
The grand old men and women of Icelandic dance music apparently still have last night in their bodies.
Established in 1995 as some kind of multidisciplinary art conglomerate, GusGus have gone through more personnel changes than Fleetwood Mac and Van Halen put together, only to end up better than ever.
While you wait for their next album, […]
Crowded, chaotic, unpredictable and fun, Sirkus is a Reykjavík bar that’s more than the sum of its dilapidated parts.
Sirkus is a rather improbable place. For starters, the fact that it’s still there at all is surprising in itself. This charmingly squalid, colourful and ramshackle little Reykjavík bar looks like it might have collapsed by your […]
A round up of things to do in Reykjavík this weekend, prepared by your good-looking and oh-so culturally minded editors.
He’s back! Former General Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and Pizza Hut fan, Mikhail Gorbachev is back in Iceland this weekend. No Ronald Reagan this time, just a lot of people […]
12 October 2006 – 13:32
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By valgeir
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Also posted in iceland, nightlife, Bars in Iceland, icelandic music, events, Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Icelandic bands, concerts, Iceland Dance Company, Jón Leifs, Skakkamanage, Reykjavík City Theatre
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Death gets seriously warmed up as artist slash designer Jón Sæmundur — a.k.a. Nonni — opens Liborius.
It was a black day, literally, for fashionable neo-goths when the Dead Store closed its doors in Reykjavík a few months ago. More Addams’ Family than the Grateful Dead, Nonnabúð (as it was called in Icelandic) was filled to […]
Is it Friday already?
The National Theatre is doing its best to prepare us, and all you wannabe Scandinavians, for a long, dark and depressing winter with its fun, fun, fun version of Ibsen’s Peer Gynt (surprisingly not called Peer Gyntson but Pétur Gautur). They’ll be showing it at The Barbican in London in February, but […]
6 October 2006 – 9:02
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By Margrét
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Also posted in iceland, nightlife, reykjavik, Bars in Iceland, music, events, Visual Arts, Festivals, Reykjavík International Film Festival, DJs, National Theatre, Reykjavík Art Museum, northern lights
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Kaffibarinn is the granddaddy of Reykjavík bars/clubs.
Featured prominently in a gazillion guidebooks and magazine articles over the years, Kaffibarinn is probably the best known bar in the universe Reykjavík.
Founded back in the early nineties by some really, really fun people whose names escape us, this Reykjavík institution featured prominently in a little film called 101 […]
